# Help Suggest Realistic/Mature Love Songs for my Playlist **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 28, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084 "2010-05-28T16:46:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/1 "2010-05-28T16:46:25Z")
I’m making a collection of different songs by different artists, for **Sr. Olives** for our four year wedding anniversary (in two weeks.) This was referred to in olden days as a ‘‘[mix tape.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=564668)’’ Same basic idea, I’m just using MP3s. I did this 8 years ago when we first got together, at age 19, as sophomores in undergrad. Many of the songs were of the ‘‘I’m young and just fell in love’’ variety, but this time I want to do something that reflects our relationship’s growth over time. We’re in a different phase of life now – both knee-deep in grad school, contemplating the adoption of children within a couple of years, and, well, older. So I was hoping you guys could help me brainstorm. What songs do you know that seem to have a more long-term, realistic, mature outlook on relationships? I’m also soliciting songs about the role of said relationships in relieving external stress. I like the idea of ‘‘partner as sanctuary.’’ These songs don’t have to be 100% positive either. Because no relationship is. Slow or fast, doesn’t matter. I’m trying to include a wide range of genres, from Latin to Country, but we tend to favor alternative and classic rock. We were children of the 90s. Thanks in advance! Christy ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/2 "2010-05-28T17:09:59Z")
I recommend In My Life by the Beatles. Excellent song that basically says, “yeah, my friends and my past and my family are all important but, after careful consideration, I love you more than anything and you are the most important thing in my life.” I am pushing to have this be the song my fiance and I dance to at our wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/3 "2010-05-28T17:14:39Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > I recommend In My Life by the Beatles. Excellent song that basically says, “yeah, my friends and my past and my family are all important but, after careful consideration, I love you more than anything and you are the most important thing in my life.” I am pushing to have this be the song my fiance and I dance to at our wedding. _Excellent_ suggestion. For recommending The Beatles I hereby dispense 1 cybercookie. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/4 "2010-05-28T17:39:45Z")
Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits Differest Strings - Rush Let’s Do It - Cole Porter Anna Begins - Counting Crows Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters Don’t Get Me Wrong - The Pretenders Building a Mystery - Sarah McLachlan ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/5 "2010-05-28T17:43:08Z")
The Luckiest - Ben Folds This Will Be Our Year - Zombies Comfortable - Fleming & John Life, In a Nutshell - Barenaked Ladies ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/6 "2010-05-28T17:45:31Z")
Have a little faith in me. John Hiatt Darling be home soon–Joe Cocker ---
**Author:** ![Khaki\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Khaki\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khaki_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/7 "2010-05-28T17:58:27Z")
You can’t go wrong with Mister Nick Cave and his **The Boatman’s Call** album. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/8 "2010-05-28T18:27:27Z")
“Both Sides Now,” preferably the version from _Love Actually_ “Ring of Fire,” Johnny Cash’s version\* - If you don’t know the story behind this, you seriously need to listen to act 3 of the [This American Life episode “What Is This Thing.”](http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/247/What-Is-This-Thing?bypass=true) ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/9 "2010-05-28T18:29:56Z")
A Fine Frenzy – _Better Near You_ ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/10 "2010-05-28T18:39:27Z")
What a great idea for a mix! Ooh, how about TV on the Radio – [Province](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigAXL5e5Kw) ([lyrics](http://lyrics.wikia.com/TV_On_The_Radio%3AProvince)) I adore the chorus: > [@](#): > > Hold these hearts courageously > As we walk into this dark place > Stand steadfast beside me and see > That love is the province of the brave ---
**Author:** ![Meme\_Chose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Meme\_Chose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meme_Chose)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/11 "2010-05-28T18:41:14Z")
You’re My Home–Billy Joel ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/12 "2010-05-28T19:11:45Z")
You And I–Wilco (featuring Feist) > [@](#): > > You and I > We might be strangers > However close we get sometimes > It’s like we never met > > But you and I > I think we can take it > All the good with the bad > Make something that no one else has but > > You and I. And these other Wilco songs, too: Everlasting Everything, Either Way, On and On and On, I Got You (At the End of the Century). ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/13 "2010-05-28T19:12:29Z")
You rise and meet the day - Dar Williams. I think you may find that the [lyrics](http://www.metrolyrics.com/you-rise-and-meet-the-day-lyrics-dar-williams.html) sum up a lot of what you seem to be trying to say. I’ve just noticed an error in that lyric, annoyingly. It should be “giving your hands and your heart to the _wheel_ of the world”. And the kids should be “maybe _ours_, maybe not”, not “maybe yours”, which is wholly unromantic! ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/14 "2010-05-28T19:21:33Z")
Here’s one of my favorites: _The Way I Am_ - Ingrid Michaelson I know we aren’t supposed to list all the lyrics - but here’s a snip > [@](#): > > \*If you are chilly, here take my sweater. > Your head is aching, I’ll make it better. > > Cause I love the way you call me baby. > And you take me the way I am.\* ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/15 "2010-05-28T19:41:01Z")
My first reaction upon reading the thread title was “Almost anything by Leonard Cohen”, but after reading why the OP wants them then I realized many of his songs wouldn’t be appropriate because they’re about relationships that failed. You might try his “[Dance Me to the End of Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_PIadFsvDk)” (link goes to video), though. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/16 "2010-05-28T19:44:22Z")
Husker Du - No Reservations Billy Bragg - Must I Paint You A Picture? The Go-Betweens - Love Goes On! The Divine Comedy - Perfect Lovesong ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/17 "2010-05-28T19:59:20Z")
**melodyharmonius** has reminded me of that song Adam Sandler sings at the end of _The Wedding Singer_. Grow Old With You, is it called? If you were looking for something a bit more lighthearted. (Must I Paint You A Picture is a song about a relationship failing too, surely, by the way.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/18 "2010-05-28T20:08:53Z")
I feel kinda dorky for admitting I like this song, but “Happy to be stuck with you” by Huey Lews and the News. “Baby I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney “This is us” by Knopfler and Harris “Keeping out of Mischef now” by Louis Armstrong “Thank You” by Dido “I can’t help falling in love with you” Elvis “My Blue Heaven” by Fats Domino “Life begins when you’re in love” Goodman “Time in a Bottle” Jim Croce ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/19 "2010-05-28T20:18:17Z")
Heh. Mate, you may dismiss this out of hand, but listen to “Midnight Blue” by Melissa Manchester a couple of times and tell me what you think. ETA: Maybe a bit uptempo for what you’re looking for, but “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” by Ella Fitzgerald may fit as well. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084/20 "2010-05-28T20:18:18Z")
“Hold On” by Gladys Knight and the Pips “Move Me No Mountain” by Love Unlimited [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-suggest-realistic-mature-love-songs-for-my-playlist/541084.md?page=2)